Device for forming strings or sheets of asphalt



Dec. 8, 1936.

J. s. DOWNARD 2,063,663

DEVICE FOR FORMING STRINGS OR SHEETS O? ASPHALT Filed June 27, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 11 A @.l. r V

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WITNESSES yMom flffiawmr o ATTORNEYS 5 Sheets-Sheet? O 2m Myiwwdaqfi o o 231x 73 M ATTORNEYS J. S. DOWNARD Filed June 2'7, 1933 DEVICE FOR FORMING STRINGS OR SHEETS OF ASPHALT Dec. 8, 1936.

O O O O O WITNESSES 0 w Dec. 6, 1936. D NARD 2,063,663

DEVICE FOR FORMING STRINGS OR SHEETS OF ASPHALT Filed June 27, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 97 9 i J u u n u 1| n n u 11 11 G 99 565/; a jwjf fi aka WITN E ZWM $2 5202; fiai gm mjji rwmx ATTORNEYS 1936. J. s. DOWNARD 2,063,663

DEVICE FOR FORMING STRINGS OR SHEETS OF ASPHALT Filed June 27, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 WITNESSES WWM QMW J ATTORN EYS Dec. 8, 1936. 5 ow RD I 2,063,663

DEVICE FOR FORMING STRINGS OR SHEETS OF ASPHALT Filed June 27, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 w/ A l m in 15 2 169 v 174 fimesflkyflwmrafoz WITNESSES Mama Irma m. E y: I! V J61- ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE DEVICE FOR FORMING STRINGS OB SHEETS F ASPHALT Application June 21, 1933, Serial No. 677,944

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for forming strings, fine particles, or sheets of asphalt.

It has been proposed to break up lumps of asphalt by applying heat thereto either in a container or upon a surface which has been heated thoroughly by gas burners or by combustion gases. Due to the fact that heat is transmitted very slowly through asphalt there is great danger of burning the asphalt before the same has been melted.

Electrical heating elements are well known in certain arts and these heating elements consist of spaced wires or coils of wires formed of resistance materials so that when a current is passed through the same the wires will become heated and such heat is then employed for various purposes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device in the form of a fabricated screen, or perforated plate made of resistance material which when a current is passed through the same will become heated for melting asphalt placed upon the screen which will pass through the restricted passages in the screen or perforated plate and form strings of asphalt which may be cut into small pieces by heated knives or broken up into small particles by streams of compressed air, water, or water containing fine mineral particles, the asphalt being employed is blown as a soft, sticky asphalt which may be mixed with finely divided mineral matter, or hard asphalt.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a screen or plate provided with a plurality of restricted passages upon which is adapted to be placed asphalt, the asphalt being melted when an electric current of proper strength is passed through the screen, thereby causing melting of the asphalt without danger of burning with the asphalt passing through the screen in the form of strings or sheets which may be cut up into proper lengths or broken up into fine particles to provide an element of a composition suitable for paving purposes.

features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device constructed accordance with the principles of my inven- Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of one end of a screen,

Figure 4 is a plan view of a modified form of screen shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive,

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary end view of a portion of the screen shown in Figures 4 and 5,

Figure 7 shows more or less ditlcally a circuit controlling the current to a screen,

Figure 8 is a side view in elevation of an oscillating container,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical section of the device shown in Figure 8,

Figure 10 are fragmentary views in perspective of various forms of cutting devices employed in connection with the screens shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figures 8 and 9,

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a modified form of the device shown in Figures 8 and 9,

Figure 13 is abottom plan view of the device shown in Figure 12,

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line il-ll of Figure 13,

Figure 15 is a vertical section of a further modified form of means for operating knives,

Figure 16 is a horizontal section taken along the line i6-|6 of Figure 15,

Figure 17 is a fragmentary vertical section of another modified form of the device for breaking up asphalt,

Figure 18 is a plan view of a detail of the heating device employed in Figure 1'1,

Figure 19 is a vertical section of a modified form of the invention shown in Figure 17,

Figure 20 is a fragmentary vertical section of a still further modified form of the device shown in Fig. 1'7,

Figure 21 is a vertical section of a modified form of the device shown in Figure 20,

Figure 22 shows more or less diagrammatically a device for producing fine particles of asphalt,

Figure 23 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the device shown in Figure 22, and

Figure 24 is a fragmentary vertical section of an electrically heated knife employed in connection with the device shown in Figure 20.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, i 3 designates a supporting frame formed of insulating material upon which is mounted a screen ll constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention. The screen and frame may be of any size suitable for the purpose. While I have shown the screen as rectangular it may be square or circular. The insulating material must be porcelain, bakelite, or any other type which will not be injured by the heated screen.

The screen consists of a plurality of transverse wires I 2 formed of resistance material which are interwoven with longitudinally disposed wires l3 of the same material. The ends of the longitudinal wires l3 are clamped together by a pair of parallel electrical conducting strips l4 such as copper and these strips are secured in place by means of lugs I3 carried by the framework l3 and nuts I3 threaded onto the lugs. It will be seen that the other ends of the wires l3 are connected with conducting strips as will be presently explained. V

The lugs or posts I! are connected with electric wires 23 which extend to a common lead-in 2| which may be considered the positive side of an electric circuit. A resistance 22 is located within the circuit and may be of any type suitable for the purpose. A wire 23 leading from the resistance 22 may be connected with one terminal of the house current.

Wires 23 are connected to binding posts 23 carried by the supporting frame I3 and these posts are electrically connected with a pair of strips 21 which are similar in all respects to the strips l4. These strips are made of copper and form the outgoing terminals of that portion of the circuit which is included within the screen II. A common wire 23 is connected with the wires 23 and extends to the other terminal of the house current and may be designated as the negative side, while the wire 2| represents the positive. Ends of the wires l3 are clamped between the strips 21 by the binding posts 23 and the nuts on the said posts.

Proper current is supplied to the wire 2| which passes through the copper strips I 4, through the resistance wires i 2 and I3. The current passing through these wires causes the same to be heated so that asphalt which is placed upon the wires will pass through the interstices and form strings of asphalt. An electrically heated knife or knives are located below the screen I l for cutting oil the strings into small pellets, as will be presently described.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, it will be seen that instead of wires, metallic strips 33 formed of resistance material are longitudinally disposed on a framework 3| and rest upon a shoulder 32 formed at the upper periphery of the framework 3|. This framework is made of any suitable insulating material. All of the longitudinal strips are provided with spaced notches 33.

Transverse strips 34 likewise formed of resistance material are disposed in parallel relation along the strips 30 and are likewise provided with notches which will be received by the notches 33 so that when the strips 34 are placed in position all of the tops of the strips will be in the same horizontal plane.

The adjacent ends of the strips 33 at one end I the frame are secured to a copper strip 33 which has its ends connected with wires 33 and a leadin wire 31 which is designated as the positive side of the circuit. A copper strip 33 has its ends connected to wires 33 which in turn are connected to a common wire 40 also connected with the house current. Binding posts 4| and 42 are respectively employed at the opposite end of the screen connecting the strips 35 and 33 to the framework 3| and for clamping the ends of the wires 33 and 33 in position. The copper strip 33 is connected to the other ends of the strips or bars 33.

Asphalt of any type is placed upon the screen as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, and the electric current is switched on. The strips 33 and 34 will become heated for melting the asphalt and causing the same to pass through the spaces and project beyond the screen in the form of strings of asphalt which may be cut by electrically heated knives as the asphalt projects beyond the screen. Streams of compressed air or water, or a mixture of both water and air, or water containing flne mineral particles may be projected across the extruding asphalt to form fine particles of asphalt.

If it is desired to form sheets of asphalt instead of strings, the strips 34 may be readily removed from the strips 33 to provide elongated passages so that when the asphalt is placed on the heated strips 33 the asphalt will pass through the respective strips in the form of sheets and these sheets may be cut oil in definite lengths.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, it will be seen that a container 33 is mounted for rotation in opposite directions within a housing it. This rotation, however, is through a small are as will be presently described.

A spur gear 52 is secured to a shaft 53 which extends inwardly of the housing and a second gear 34 is secured to the inner end of the shaft 53 and meshes with a ring gear 33 secured to the container 53. A segmental gear 33 is pivotally mounted at 51 on the housing 5! and meshes with the spur gear 52. A connecting rod 33 is pivotally connected at 53 with the segmental gear 33 and has an eccentric connection 33 with a gear 3| mounted on a shaft 62. The gear 3| is driven by a gear 33 which in turn is operated by an electric motorwhich is connected with a source of current, not shown, and controlled by a switch in the usual manner.

A screen 35 is secured at 33 to the bottom of the container 33 but is insulated as shown at 31 from said container. A source of current is connected to the screen by means of wires 33 i and 33.

The screen 35 is formed of some kind oi resistance material such as nickel, chrome steel and may be constructed in accordance with any of the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive. or the screen may be in the form of a metal plate provided with perforations II.

A plurality of knives H are rigidly supported as shown at 12 by means of insulating material 13 which in turn is secured to a bracket 14 connected to the inner wall of the housing 3|. These knives or cutters are connected with a source of current through wires 15 and 13.

It will be noted that a housing portion I1 extends downwardly below the heated screen 35 and knives H in order to protect the screen and the knives from the loss of heat and also the asphalt passing through the screen.

The knives may be of any type such as a wine formed of resistance material, such as at 13 in Fig. 10, or the knife or cutter may be in the form of a flat strip of metal, as shown at 1| or in the form of a bar or rod 18.

The current to the knives and to the screen are controlled by means of a switch 88 shown in Fig. 7, a transformer 8I and a thermostat 82. The capacity of the transformer, of course, depends upon the temperature required for heating the electric resistance screen or plate 85.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 7 to 11, inclusive, is as follows: Asphalt or bitumen is placed within the container 88 either in a heated state or cold. The current is turned on in order to heat the screen or plate 85 and the knives H.

The motor 88 is started for oscillating the container 58 so that the heated screen 65 will be moved over the knives 1I. As the asphalt is melted and passes through the perforations in the screen or the plate the knives will cut the asphalt into small particles and these particles will then drop downwardly below the skirt 11 and may be collected in water or in a bath containing water and fine mineral dust as may be desired.

In the construction shown in Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive, it will be found that a modified form of the cutting mechanism is employed. In this case the container 85 is held stationary and the screen 86 is heated in the same manner as shown in Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, and may be of the form of any one of the screens previously described.

The oscillating frame 81 formed of insulating material carries vertically disposed knives 88 sothat when the frame 81 is reciprocated these knives will be moved across the perforations in the screen 88 and cut off the protruding asphalt in such length as many he desired. It will be appreciated that the smallness of the particles of the asphalt thus produced will depend upon the speed of the operation of the frame 81. An end of each of the knives 88 is secured to a strip of electrical conducting metal 88 and the other ends of the knives are connected to a strip 88 formed of conducting material. This last-mentioned strip is connected to a wire 8| while the strip 88 is connected to a wire 82. These wires form a circuit and are controlled by the instrumentalities disclosed in Fig. '7.

The frame 81 is mounted in guides 83 and is reciprocated by means of a rod 88 pivotally connected at 83 to the frame and eccentrically connected at 86 to a gear 81 which meshes with a gear 88. The last-mentioned gear is driven by means of a motor 88 connected with a source of current (not shown).

The strips of conducting material 88 and 88 are secured to the frame 81 at one end by means of a bolt I88 imbedded in the material of the frame 81. This frame is formed of non-conducting material and the projecting threaded end I8I of bolts I88 are employed as binding posts for the wires 8| and 82. The operation of the device shown in Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive, is as follows: The container 85 is supplied with asphalt and the current to the screen 88 is switched on so that the screen will be heated. The current to the strips of materials 88 and 88 is also switched on for heating the knives 88. The motor 88 is then operated and the frame is reciprocated carrying the knives 88 back and forth below the heated screen 88 so that when the asphalt protrudes from the screen 86 the knives 88 will cut off particles of lengths depending an insulating block I3I.

upon the speed of movement of the frame 81. It will be noted that so far the knives are described as being heated and the purpose of this is to shear the asphalt in its heated condition while preventing chilling of the same.

In the modified form of the device shown in Figures 15 and 16 a container I85 carries an electrically heated screen I88 which is connected to a source of current by means of wires I81-I88.

For the purpose of reciprocating the knives I88 carried by the endless chains I I8 I have provided a gear III which is driven by a shaft II2. a gear II3 rigid with the shaft, a segmental gear II8 meshing with the gear II3, a rod H5 and a motor H6. The rod 5 is eccentrlcally connected at II1 with a disc III driven directly by the motor H8. The opposite end of the rod is pivotally connected at II8 to the segmental gear II8 which is pivotally mounted at I28 to a fixed part of the frame. Idling gears I2I co-operate with the driving gears III for supporting the endless chain IIII.

Collector members I22 are connected with chains III) and wiper arms I23 connected with a source of current as indicated by the wires I8 supply the knives I88 with electric energy which is converted into heat due to the resistance of the metal of the knives. These knives are directly connected with the collector members I22 and these members are insuated from the endless chain 8'.

As the motor is revolved and the current is switched to the knives I88 and the screen I86, the knives will be oscillated across the perforations I86 for cutting off the asphalt which passes through the perforations. The segmental gear II8 rocks the chains back and forth causing reciprocation of the knives.

A modified form of the heated screens is employed and instead of a woven wire screen formed of resistance material or of a perforated plate formed of the same material, tubular members are formed of resistance material, as shown at I38, which extend downwardly through It will be noted that the tubular members I38 are formed by bending a flat strip of resistance material into circular form but the two longitudinal edges of the material are spaced apart, as shown at I32, so

that the insulating material I3I is exposed at this portion. Strips of conducting metal I33 connect the various tubular members I38 together while conducting strips of metal I38 are connected to the strips I33. A source of current is passed through the strips I33-I38 by means of wires I35 and I36. A screen either in the form of a plate or fabricatedmaterial is located above the upper ends of the tubular members I38. as shown at I31, and are provided with perforations I38 which are adapted to align with the tubular members I38. This plate or screen is connected with a source of current, as indicated by the wires I38 and I88 in order that it may be heated sufficient for aiding in melting the asphalt placed within the container I8I.

It will be noted that the strips I3I are disposed in vertical planes and are imbedded in the insulating material I3I. The insulating material in this construction and all of the construc tions described in connection with this case is formed of such material that it will be sufficiently resistant to heat in order that it may not be destroyed during the operation of the devices. The screen I31 is insulated from the container I as shown at I82.

The tubular members I00 extend slightly below the screen I31 in order to prevent short circuiting between the current passing through the tubular members and the screen I31.

Knives may be reciprocated across the lower edges of the tubular members I30 from which the melted asphalt extends or a current of compressed air or finely divided streams of water or water containing colloidal suspensions of mineral matter may be directed across the lower ends of these tubes for breaking the asphalt into fine particles.

In the modification shown in Fig. 19 it will be seen that the container I43 rests upon the block I44 formed of insulating material which is provided with passages I45 to receive tubular members I30 which are identical in construction with the tubular members I30 shown in Figs. 17 and 18. The conductor metal strips I33 are directly connected with the tubular members I30 and these strips are connected with a source of current by means of the wires I 45--I 41.

The upper end I41 of the tubular members I30 project above the upper face of the insulating block I44 so that when an electric current passes through the strips I33 and the tubular members I30 the asphalt will be melted and pass through said tubular members. Since current passes through the tubular members they will be heated throughout the length thereof to maintain melted condition of the asphalt so that when heated knives are employed for cutting off the-asphalt as it extends below the lower ends of the tubular members, as has been previously explained, the knives will move towards the portions of the tubular members, as shown at I40, where the greatest amount of heat is in order to more efiiciently cut off the particles of asphalt.

Instead of the knives, a stream of air may be directed against the lower ends of the tubular members I30 for breaking the asphalt into small particles or fine streams of water containing fine mineral matter may beemployed for the same purpose.

Referring more particularly to the modified form shown in Fig. 20 it will be seen that a plate I50 formed of resistance material is provided with passages ISI. This plate is mounted upon a hollow box or casing I52 having a chamber I53 into which is directed hot gases from a pipe I54. The walls of the box or casing is formed of insulating material which will not be afiected by the heat.

A ring I55 formed of insulating material rests upon the periphery of the plate I50 and a flange I55 of a container I51 rests upon the ring I55.

Metal tubes I51 are passed through the chamber I53 and through passages I50 and I50 formed in the top and bottom of the casing I52. The upper ends of the pipes are aligned with the passages I5I in the plate I50.

Electrical resistance material formed of any suitable metal, as shown at I50, is carried by the lower end of the tubes I51 A wire I5I is connected with the resistance material I50 and with one terminal of a circuit. Intermediate wires I52 connect the resistance members I50 together while a wire I53 forms the other terminal of the circuit and is likewise connected with the resistance I50 at one end of the casing I53 so that when a current is passing through the wires I5I these resistances will be heated for heating one portion of the pipe for a purpose which will be presently explained.

A reciprocating frame I04 formed of insulating material carries knives I55 and the frame I54 may be reciprocated in any approved manner as has been disclosed in Figs. 8, 9, 12, 13, 15 and 16.

A knife I55 is shown more in detail in Fig. 24 and includes a casing I55 having a coil of electrical resistance wire I51 carried within the member I55 and this coil is connected with wires I50 and I59. As shown these wires are in turn connected with a source of current for heating the resistance coils I51 for heating the knives so that they will properly shear the asphalt peasing through the tubes I51.

Asphalt is placed within the container I51 and when a current is passed through the plate I50 through the wires I10 and HI, this plate will be heated and the asphalt will pass through the tubes I51". The hot gases issuing from the pipes I 54 pass through the chamber I53 and will maintain the proper heat on said tubes to cause a. continuous flow of the asphalt through said tubes.

It will be noted that the electric resistance members I50 are located at one side of the tubes I51 at their outer ends so that these portions of the tubes will have a temperature suillcient to aid in maintaining the flow of the asphalt through the outer ends of the tubes and will also facilitate in the cutting of the asphalt by the knives I55. It will be noted that the knives will be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 20 and have the greatest amount of heat applied to that portion of the tube which is farthest away from the knives or that point on the tubes where the knives complete the final shearing of the asphalt projecting from the tubes.

In Fig. 21 an electrical stove in the form of a coil I12 is provided to replace the heating means afforded by the pipe I54 of the construction shown in Fig. 20. In this case a wire I13 is connected with one terminal of a circuit and to the coil I12 so that the current passing through the coil will heat the resistance material in the coils and likewise heat the pipes I51. The other terminal of the circuit is represented by the wire I14. The other elements of this device will not be described since the same reference numerals applied to this figure represent similar elements employed in Fig. 20.

In Fig. 22 is shown diagrammatically a system in which a hot plate or screen I00 is electrically v heated by a current passing through wires III and I02. This screen is mounted within a container I03. Gas burners I04 are directed against the lower portion of the container I03 which is below the electric resistance screen I00 for maintaining the lower portion of the container at the proper temperature in order to prevent too rapid congealing of the asphalt.

A plurality of pipes I05 have flattened nozzles I05 located adjacent the lower open end of the container I03 and are adapted to discharge fine streams of water across the lower end of the container in order to break the melted asphalt up into fine particles after it passes below the lower end of the container.

A tank I 01 is located to one side oi the container I03 and below the same to receive the fine particles of asphalt and the water which is forced towards the open upper end of said tank. This tank is maintained at a predetermined height with water in which has been stirred fine particles of mineral dust or clay so that the bath in the tank I01 will not only contain the fine particles aocaoes of asphalt but will contain the water and the fine mineral particles which may be held in suspension in the water. A screen I88 divides the tank I" into two portions and retains the fine particles of asphalt within a greater portion of the tank.

The screen prevents the asphalt from entering the smaller chamber I89 and the asphalt may be removed from time to time from the tank I87.

A pipe I98 is connected with the bottom of the chamber I89 oi the tank I81 and with the pipe I85. A pump I9I is in circuit with the pipe I98 and forces the water from the chamber I89 to the nozzles I88. This pump is driven'in any approved manner and at a speed which is commensurate with the work required. The muddy water is thus pumped from the tank I81 continuously, sprayed through the nozzle I86 across the lower end of the container I83, thereby breaking the asphalt up into small particles while coating the asphaltic mineral matter in order to maintain the particles of asphalt in a state of division.

A valve I93 is provided in the pipe I98 to cut oil the water in the nozzle I88.

A pipe I94 is connected with the pipes I85 so that when a valve I95 is open air from a suitable source under pressure may be forced through the nozzle I88 across the lower end of the container I83, thus breaking the asphalt into fine particles. It will be appreciated by this construction that either air or the muddy water may be employed or a combination of both. The mineral matter is supplied to the tank I81 from time to time in order to replenish the supply since the fine particles of asphalt are coated with said mineral dust as it comes in contact with the water carrying such dust.

The pellets formed are of such material that they may be readily transported and that they will not coalesce during transportation.

I claim:

1. A device for forming lengths of asphalt comprising a screen formed of a plurality of strips oi resistance material, a plurality of strips of resistance material disposed transversely of the first-mentioned strips and forming with the firstmentioned strips restricted passages, a circuit including the strips for causing heating of the screen and melting of the asphalt placed on said screen to form strings of asphalt, the transverse strips being removable from the first-mentioned strips to provide elongated passages so that when asphalt is melted on the screen sheets of asphalt will be formed.

2. A device'for dividing asphalt into fine particles comprising a container to'receive asphalt, a screen in the container, means for heating the screen to cause the asphalt in the container to pass through said screen in the form of strings, means projecting a stream of liquid across the protruding strings of asphalt for breaking the asphalt into fine particles, a tank partially filled with a liquid to receive the particles, the liquid aiding in maintaining the particles in a state of division, and means for supplying the liquid from the tank to the projecting means.

3. A device for dividing asphalt into fine particles comprising a container to receive asphalt, a screen in the container, means for heating the screen to cause the asphalt in the container to pass through said screen in the form of strings, a nozzle located adjacent the lower end of the container, a tank partially filled with water containing finely divided mineral matter, a pipe connecting the tank with the nozzle, a pump interpolated in the pipe for forcing the water from the tank to the nozzle so that a stream of water will be forced across the strings of asphalt for breaking the asphalt into fine particles while coating the asphalt with the fine mineral which will act as a division agent.

4. A device for dividing asphalt into fine particles comprising a container to receive asphalt, a screen in the container, means for heating the screen to cause the asphalt in the container to pass through said screen in the form of strings, a nozzle located adjacent the lower end of the container, a tank partially filled with water containing finely divided mineral matter, a pipe connecting the tank with the nozzle, a pump interpolated in the pipe for forcing the water into the tank to the nozzle so that a stream of water will be forced across the strings of asphalt for breaking the asphalt into fine particles while coat the asphalt with the fine mineral which will act as a division agent, the tank being located adjacent the container when said tank will receive the coated particles of asphalt, the particles being further coated by the mineral matter in the water in said tank.

5. A device for dividing asphalt into fine particles comprising a container to receive asphalt, a screen in the container, means for heating the screen to cause the asphalt in the container to pass through said screen in the form of strings, means for projecting a stream of water containing fine mineral matter across the strings of asphalt for breaking said asphalt into small'particles while coating said asphalt with mineral matter. a

6. A device for dividing asphalt into fine particles comprising a container to receive asphalt, a screen in the container, means for heating the screen to cause the asphalt in the container to pass through said screen in the form of strings, means for projecting a stream of water containing fine mineral matter across the strings of asphalt for breaking said asphalt into small particles while coating said asphalt with mineral matter, and means for collecting the particles of asphalt in a bath of water containing finely di vided mineral matter to cause further coating of said particles.

7. A device for melting and dividing asphalt comprising a casing forming a heating chamber and adapted to support asphalt thereon, tubular members extending through the chamber, means for heating the chamber and a heating means embracing the tubes between the inner and outer ends of said tubes so that the asphalt will be melted and pass through the tubes to form strings of the asphalt.

8. A device for melting and dividing asphalt comprising a casing forming a heating chamber and adapted to support asphalt thereon, tubular members extending through the chamber, means for heating the chamber and a heating means embracing the tubes between the inner and outer ends of said tubes so that the asphalt will be melted and pass through the tubes to form strings of the asphalt, and means adjacent the outer ends of the tubes for dividing the asphalt as it emerges from the tubes into small particles.

9. A device for melting and dividing asphalt comprising a casing forming a heating chamber and adapted to support asphalt thereon, tubular members extending through the chamber, means for heating the chamber and a heating means embracing the tubes between the inner and outer endsoisaidtubessothattheasphaltwillbe melted and pass through the tubes to form strings of the asphalt, and knives for cutting 01! the asphalt into small particles as the asphalt emerges from the tubes.

10. A device for melting and dividing asphalt comprising a casing forming a heating chamber and adapted to support asphalt thereon, tubular members extending through the chamber, means for heating the chamber and a heating means embracing the tubes between the inner and outer ends of said tubes so that the asphalt will be melted and pass through the tubes to form strings of the asphalt, knives for cutting 01! the asphalt into small particles as the asphalt emerges from the tubes, and means for heating the knives.

11. A device for melting and dividing asphalt comprising a casing forming a heating chamber and adapted to support asphalt thereon, tubular members extending through the chamber, means for heating the chamber and a heating means embracing the tubes between the inner and outer ends of said tubes so that the asphalt will be melted and pass through the tubes to form strings of the asphalt, knives for cutting oil the asphalt into small particles as the asphalt emerges from the tubes, and means for additionally heating the outer ends of the tubes.

aoeaees 12. A device for dividing asphalt into fine,particles comprising a container to receive asphalt, a screen in the container, means for heating the screen to cause the asphalt in the container to pass through said screen, a tank partially filled with a liquid containing finely divided mineral matter located adjacent the bottom of the container, means connected with the tank for pro- Jecting a stream of liquid from the tank across the protruding asphalt for breaking the asphalt into fine particles, the tank receiving the particles with the liquid aiding in maintaining the particles in a state of division, the mineral matter coating the fine particles 01' asphalt.

13. A device for dividing asphalt into particles or pellets comprising a screen, means for causing asphalt to be extruded through the screen, means for projecting a stream of liquid across the path of the extruding asphalt for cutting oi! the asphalt into particles, a tank containing a liquid to receive the particles, and means connected between the projecting means and the tank for withdrawing liquid from the tank and forcing said liquid through the projecting means.

NAOMI W. DOWNARD. Administratria: of the Estate James Shelby Doumard, Deceased. 

